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DEEP ROOTS Foundational Biblical Truths

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Document created by: Ugo Okonkwo Director - Growing Deep Christian Life Center Church – Layton, Utah

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DEEP ROOTS

I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity to spend some quality time in God’s word with you. My primary intention is to help you develop a strong foundation for a lasting and fruitful relationship with God in your Christian walk. In Matthew chapter 7, from verse 24 to 27, The Lord Jesus presented a comparison between two foundations. One was grounded on the rock and the other was grounded on the sand. He made it clear that the house whose foundation was firmly grounded on the rock withstood the test of time and trials while that which was grounded on the sand could not stand. I believe that the Lord through this six (6) part series on the basic foundational realities of the Christian Life (DEEP ROOTS), will help you to develop a foundation that is firmly planted on the rock. May the Lord by His Spirit bring us into the truth of His Word; Amen.

LESSONS

Born of Love (I Chose You) …………………………………………….…………. 01

The Disruption (The Sin Factor) ……………………...….…………………. 02

Grace (His Great Love) ………………………….……………..…… 03

Brand New (Salvation & Baptism) …………….……….. 04

Not Alone (The Holy Spirit) …………………..... 05

Go! (Discipleship & Service)...………. 06

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Born of Love (I Chose You)

Of the many questions that we often have concerning humanity, one of the most prominent is, “How did humanity come about? And Why? Many have attempted to answer this via several means, but we would like to see what the Bible has to say with regards to this issue.

Genesis 1: 26-28

Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (NIV)

The passages we have just read make it clear that mankind/ humanity has its origin from God. God made humanity, and He did so with a purpose in mind.

1 John 4:8b states that God is love, He is the fullness of perfect love. One of the unique things about love is that it seeks out avenues to express itself; this is the same with God. Although absolutely complete and contained in Himself, God desired companionship and so set out to make humanity. Thus, humanity became the object of God’s love and so provided Him with an avenue to express Himself. So we see that we were born of love; He chose us. He chose to bring us into existence so that He could shower us with His love.

This is an amazing truth to grasp… God made me and you to be the object of His love and affection. The first purpose of humanity’s creation was Companionship.

The second purpose for which God created humanity is Partnership. The same passage we had read earlier from Genesis makes it clear also that God desired for man/ humanity to be a steward/ manager of His creation. Man was to work together with God in taking care of all that God had made. Man was to be God’s second in command.

Here we are able to see God’s order revealed; Companionship (Intimacy) must be realized before an effective partnership would be possible. This is because humanity was to rule according to the mind of God; Intimacy ensures the knowledge and awareness of God’s will and heart.

**************************** Psalm 139:13-16 ***********************

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (NIV)

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NOTES (Born of Love)

God created YOU primarily for two reasons; Companionship and Partnership with

Himself.

1. What is your understanding of God’s desire for companionship with you?

2. What is your understanding of God’s desire for partnership with you?

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The Disruption (The Sin Factor)

In the previous session, we looked at the love of God which gave birth to humanity. We stated that we were born of love; God created us to be the object of His love and affection. We were made for companionship and partnership with God. This companionship would result in relationship and intimacy while the partnership would make us into the vehicle by which the whole of creation is infused with the mind of God. This is the point where we would move on to our second part, The Disruption.

Genesis 2:15-17

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;

But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die."

Genesis 3:1-5

Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,

but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"

"You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman.

"For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Now these are incredible passages of scripture. When God created humanity, He gave them Free Will with the intention that their relationship with Him will hinge upon trust. The purpose of humanity in the world is linked to relationship with His maker. Without companionship and intimacy, there cannot be true partnership. This was a principle that the devil was fully knowledgeable of, hence the reason he aimed and often still aims his arrows straight there. He knew that if he could disrupt the relationship, he could frustrate humanity’s purpose.

The key word here is Trust. God gave an instruction, “Do not … or you will certainly die.” The devil responded through the serpent, “You will not certainly die”...on the contrary, God is trying to hold you back from the best thing that could happen to you (Independence- you will have the knowledge in yourself; you will no longer have the need to be dependent if you don’t want.)

This is the same problem that we are having continuously till date. The devil works to cast some element of doubt in the hearts of humanity towards God’s heart and intention. This doubt is always rooted in a Lie; a perversion of the truth. This lie now brings about distrust which in return gives rise to rebellion followed by a call for independence.

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**Man now imbibed the nature of the devil (rebellion). **

SIN IS REBELLION (The Spirit of Rebellion/ The Nature of the Rebellious One).

Man chose to have in himself instead of in union with God. When humanity’s nature became tainted, he was no longer fit for God’s purpose.

Genesis 3:23&24 states that humanity was evicted from the garden. God said NO to this type of humanity essentially, THIS HUMANITY MUST DIE!!

Romans 6: 23a “For the wages of sin is DEATH.”

At the beginning of this session, we stated that humanity was made by God for companionship and partnership. We further stated that companionship and intimacy were essential for our partnership with God since God’s intention was that humanity would administrate according to His mind.

What a deep blow the devil seemed to have dealt to God’s purpose in humanity. Mankind has been stripped of his purpose and now wanders about as a confused and aimless being. How could God ever get back His purpose in humanity when all seems lost?

We will continue in our next session as we discover God’s ultimate solution.

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NOTES (The Disruption)

Sin is responsible for ALL the chaos we see and experience in this world.

1. What is the definition of sin, as learnt from this lesson?

2. Why did God give us free will?

3. What is the essence of sin?

4. What is the result of sin?

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Grace (His Great Love)

In our last session, we saw the disruption that occurred in the creation brought about by the lie of the devil. We saw how this roused the Spirit of Rebellion in the heart of humanity, resulting in humanity being no longer fit to serve God’s end. To this God had responded with one word: DEATH, as He had promised in the beginning, “YE SHALL CERTAINLY DIE. “

Romans 6:23a states clearly that the wages of sin is Death.

How could God ever get back His man?

The answer to this question is GRACE.

What is Grace? This is the Unmerited Favor of God.

**Unmerited: Undeserved.

**Favor: an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.

So God bestowed on humanity an underserved act of kindness beyond what was due or usual.

What was this act of kindness that God showered on humanity?

1. Forgiveness: exoneration ( officially absolved from blame) 2. Reconciliation: restoration of friendly relation.

All this is undeserved because we were really guilty and fully deserving of the due penalty.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

To be able to truly understand what really transpired in the initiation of Grace, it is essential for us to understand something really important about the nature of God. There are two vital aspects of God’s nature that seem really difficult to balance, that is Holiness and Love. God is Holy and God is Love. With regards to humanity’s dilemma/ the dilemma of all the ages, God’s holiness demands that sin must meet its due and full penalty but God’s love desires mercy (Remember that humanity is God’s love child). God so loved humanity that he was desirous of mercy but at the same time knew that it was needful to have the sin fully addressed.

God found the balance that His heart desired in the person of His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 states that the one who knew no sin (The Righteous One), was made sin for us so that we would be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Isaiah 53:5-6 states that the LORD laid on Him (Christ Jesus), the iniquity of us all.

**In Christ Jesus, God was able to satisfy His Holiness in justice(sin paid for in full), while also satisfying His nature of Love in rendering mercy.**

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** Christ Jesus became as us to face the full wrath of God so as to Spare us/ save us. ** This is the Amazing Grace that save a wretch like me.

John 3:16

For God so loved humanity that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

**In Christ we are back in God’s good graces (Righteous) **

Grace is Love Triumphant!

Mercy rejoicing over judgement.

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NOTES (Grace)

Grace is the greatest of gifts; there is none greater than this.

1. What is God’s grace?

2. How did God extend His grace to us?

3. What is the impact of God’s grace?

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Brand New (Salvation & Baptism)

Last time, we looked at the greatest thing that has come into God’s universe; Grace. It was this His great grace that made a way for us to be reconciled unto God. We emphasized that in Christ Jesus, God was able to fully judge iniquity while yet extending mercy to us.

I. Salvation

2 Corinthians 5:14b, 15&17 “One died for all therefore all died.”

“And He died for all, that those who live/ who receive His new life, should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old is gone, the new life is here/has begun.”

Salvation comes through the acceptance of God’s grace. To do this, we must first identify with and agree with God concerning our true state and well deserved penalty. When we have done this, and accepted as ours the sacrifice of His beloved Son, we are brought into a new life, His life.

Romans 10: 9-10

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This new life which has now come into us is His life. Our lives have been done away with when He carried us with and in himself to the cross and was put to death. It is now His own life that we have been brought into; this being the case, we do not get to live it the way we please but the way He desires.

Romans 6:6-7 (NLT)

We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.

For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.

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II. Baptism

Baptism is a public declaration of an inward reality. This inward reality is that in Christ Jesus, we died. Our old selves/nature were put to death and as Christ rose from the dead in newness of life, we also did likewise in Him.

Romans 6: 3-6&8

Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

These scripture are meant to clearly set before us the implications of baptism. One of the passages of scripture which truly represents this is in Joshua 4: 1-9; The Stone of Remembrance. This paints a truly vivid picture for us that our death is a true reality and likewise our new life.

I sincerely believe that until we truly understand the reasons and the meanings of the things we do, it will be difficult for us to truly experience their full impact in our lives.

In conclusion, Mark 16:16 commands all who believe to be baptized. Philip, in Acts 8:37 said to the Ethiopian eunuch, “If you believe with all your heart”, without reservations that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, “you may be baptized”.

Do You Believe with all Your Heart?

If So, BE BAPTIZED!!

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NOTES (Brand New)

In Christ Jesus, my old self has been done away with; I am a new person altogether.

1. What does it mean to be “Brand New”?

2. How did I become brand new?

3. If I am a brand new person, what happened to my old self?

4. Why is baptism very important and significant in my Christian walk?

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Not Alone (The Holy Spirit)

In our last session, we had focused on the New Creation in Christ Jesus. We paid special attention to what it means to be brand new and how we come into that new state. One of the scriptures that is most paramount in that regard is 2 Corinthians 5:17 which states that “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone; the new is here (Now).” Furthermore, we discussed the ordinance of Baptism, stating that it is a public declaration of an inward reality. It makes plain a bit dramatically what God had wrought in us in the person of His Son which resulted in the new creation. Also, we compared the Baptism with the Stones of Remembrance in Joshua 3:17 & 4:1-9; bringing to focus that our old selves are dead and buried as the stones which are yet in the depth of the Jordan until this day.

Today, we would like to move a bit further and trust the Lord to fill us with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

One of the greatest fears of new believers and God’s people in general is the fear of failure. Although our spirits have been made alive, our souls and bodies remain the same for now. I say for now, because it is also God’s ultimate desire that they too be delivered from the influence of the sin nature. The mind is to be delivered through renewal /reprogramming in God’s Word as clearly stated in Romans 12:2 (NLT) “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” The deliverance of the body would be at His second coming, when death shall truly be subdued with regards to its influence upon our bodies.

Now as a result of this fear of failure or the fear of being a hypocrite as some may say, we often dread the life that follows after our public confession of Faith. Fear is not really a bad thing if it forces us to realize our inability and compels us to reach out to God who is our all sufficiency.

In the old testament, as the mantle of leadership was being passed from Moses, Israel’s great leader, to Joshua in the midst of the possible fears of the unknown and failure, the resounding words of encouragement given to Joshua was, “Be strong and courageous, Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

How wonderful is that! Those are the very exact words that God is speaking into your heart as you are listening to me now. “God will not leave you nor forsake you.” Those words truly excite me and should most certainly excite you as well.

The Lord Jesus, in the days of His flesh, made the same definite statement to his disciples as recorded in the gospel according to John.

John 14:18 & 26 “I will not leave you like orphans (desolate), but I will come to you.”

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

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John 16:13-15

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you."

If I am permitted to paraphrase these verses and condense them, I will say that, “He will take of me and make it real in you.”

The Lord knows certainly that we are incapable of living this new life on our own and so the Holy Spirit has come to lead us through the process of this life and into God’s end.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

He is the third manifestation of the invisible God. I have chosen to use the term manifestation instead of the term “person” to denote that He is really The Very God in a different form. God manifested Himself in Fatherhood with regards to creation and the pre-redemption era. For the purpose of the redemption, He was made manifest to us as Emmanuel, God tabernacled in flesh. The apostle John stated in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son”. Now He has manifested Himself to us as the Spirit of son-ship to facilitate the formation of Christ in us.

Why is He Here?

He is here primarily with one mandate; to make the Lord Jesus a living reality in our lives (that is, to bring us into conformity to the very image of the Son – to make us like Jesus in nature; not divinity, but character). I know that there are some religious sects out there that teach that humanity’s end is divinity, to become gods; that is not what I am talking about. Such ideology is neither scriptural nor God’s idea. God’s thought is that we become partakers of His divine nature (character) 2 Peter 1:2-4.

In Romans 8:29, the Apostle Paul makes it clear via the revelation of Jesus that God has chosen His people to become like His Son.

How does He bring this to pass?

He is able to do this through the process of transformation or transfiguration. This take TIME, it is not instantaneous and it is a task that the Holy Spirit brings about in us through our very close cooperation with Him.

What are the Instruments of this Transfiguration?

1. The Word of God (The Bible) 2. Prayer

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The Word of God (The Bible)

As a Christian, God’s word must be an absolutely vital part of our lives. It is in the Word, (The Bible), that God’s mind is primarily revealed to us. Through it, we are better able to know the nature of God – His heart, His likes/ dislikes; the kind of things that makes for a healthy fruitful relationship. Psalm 119: 11; “I have hidden your word in my heart that I will not sin against you.” Deuteronomy 8:3 admonishes us that Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Prayer

As important as God’s word is, it is not enough to bring about the lasting change that is necessary. We must always remember that this transformation is not something that could be accomplished by our own will power. It is not by might, nor by power but by the Spirit of God.

Prayer is communicating with God. It is an avenue that God has made available to His people primarily for communication. Prayer and the word of God must go hand in hand to have a perfect dialogue. God speaks to us through His word, and we respond through prayer.

With regards to the process of transformation, we are going to look a bit closer to see how the Word and prayer work together as God’s instruments in this process.

James 1:22-25 (NLT)

“But just don’t listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the Word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

James 3:18 (NASB)

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image from glory unto glory, just as from the LORD the Spirit.”

Earlier, I mentioned that this process of transformation comes about through a partnership with the Holy Spirit; a cooperation. As we sincerely spend time in God’s word, we are able to see what God expects as well as the nature and character of Christ. After seeing this, we are able to see how we fall short. When we have seen our shortcomings, we take it up to the Lord in the place of prayer and ask Him to close the gap; to make that which His word says should be in us a living reality in us. When we have done this, the Lord comes by His Holy Spirit to WORK this into us. This is not a magic wand; the Holy Spirit introduces the CROSS (an opportunity of death and resurrection), Death to our own way and our human inclinations by taking a stand with God; No to self and Yes to God. This is how we come to the place of victory, one step at a time. This process continues throughout our daily lives and so makes us more and more like the Son of God – The one who totally and thoroughly pleases the Father.

Ask the Lord to fill you with His Holy Spirit now and you will find in Him the power to become all that God has purposed for you to be in His Son.

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NOTES (Not Alone)

The Holy Spirit has come to make me like Jesus in character.

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?

2. What does He do in my life?

3. How does the Holy Spirit transform my life with:

i. God’s Word (The Bible)?

ii. Prayer?

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GO! (Discipleship & Service)

I personally believe that it is impossible to truly serve without becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. Often times, churches emphasize on the serving because there is always need for committed volunteers. There is nothing wrong with that except that the life of the individual might not be reflective of what should be evident in a follower of Christ.

Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This was the last statement of the Risen LORD to His disciples before His ascension back into heaven. You will receive power from the Holy Spirit to be my witness; you need power to serve and that power will come from the Holy Ghost. You cannot do without it.

What is the Power for?

1. To Live the life that is pleasing to God : Evangelism by life and then by words 2. To serve: this is inclusive of the various capacities one might be needed to serve in the

congregation of God’s people.

The purpose of this is that we would be true representatives of Him (True Ambassadors). That in all that we do, we do it as unto Him; for His praise and glory not for any personal or self-centered reason.

**God’s way is LIFE before Works! **

The manner in which the works are done is to be a reflection of the life within.

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NOTES (Go!)

Follow me because I am following Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

1. What does it mean to be a disciple?

2. How can I be an effective disciple of Jesus?

3. How can I be a disciple maker for Jesus?

GOD BLESS YOU!!

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